Man City v Everton LIVE: Premier League result and final score as Erling Haaland seals victory
Pep Guardiola’s side replaced Liverpool at the top of the Premier League with victory at the Etihad Stadium
Erling Haaland netted a brace with his first goals since his return from injury to lift Manchester City to a 2-0 home victory over relegation-threatened Everton on Saturday and provisionally into top spot in the Premier League table.
Pep Guardiola’s team have 52 points after 23 games, while Liverpool -- who can reclaim the lead with a win over Burnley later on Saturday -- have 51 points, also from 23 games. Everton are in the relegation zone in 18th.
Haaland, who recently missed almost two months with a broken bone in his foot, netted his 15th and 16th of the season to go clear at the top of the Premier League scorers’ list.
The Toffees’ stifling defence frustrated City before the Norwegian striker finally broke the deadlock in the 71st minute when he fired home a blistering shot after a corner kick.
Haaland completed the brace when he ran onto a pass from Kevin De Bruyne in midfield before beating Jarrad Branthwaite and then coolly slotting it past keeper Jordan Pickford.
GOAL! Haaland adds a second! Man City 2-0 Everton
GOAL! 85 min: De Bruyne plays an inch-perfect long ball to Haaland who is just too strong, shrugging off the defenders before curling the ball into the corner of the net.
Man City 1-0 Everton
83 min: City have taken their foot off the gas since scoring the goal, but the strike may yet prove to be enough.
Man City 1-0 Everton
80 min: Everton play the ball through the city lines but the final shot was wide and he was flagged offside in the end anyway.
Man City 1-0 Everton
78 min: Everton are ringing in the substitutes, including bringing on 38-year-old Ashley Young.
Man City 1-0 Everton
75 min: City are now playing the ball around with confidence.
But should that second corner that led to the goal have been given? The Everton players were appealing for a goal-kick.
Man City 1-0 Everton
73 min: Do Everton have anything to answer to the Haaland strike?
It was the first significant chance for a long time, but one chance was all the Norwegian needed for his 15th goal of the season.
It was only his 17th touch of the game!
GOAL! Erling Haaland breaks the deadlock! Man City 1-0 Everton
71 min: Erling Haaland goal!
City’s talisman striker breaks the deadlock!
He hit it first time fired it home from a corner after a pinball moment in the box.
Man City 0-0 Everton
70 min: Another ball into the box is cut out, Everton are putting their bodies on the line here.
That time Gardner blocked walker’s cross, and the header from the corner goes out for another one.
Man City 0-0 Everton
68 min: Rodri has a shot from distance and it blazes over the bar, like so many of City’s shots today.
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